Te Anau has a new incredible asset worth $300,000 thanks to a vision and drive of two men who brought the project to completion. 

The stadium at the Real Journeys Fiordland Events Centre has been transformed with the addition of an impressive 300m2 indoor climbing wall taking up most of its north-east corner.

Eden Hoskin (5) and Ray Willett (84) ascending in the first official climb at the opening of the Te Anau Indoor Climbing Wall. Photo: Alina Suchanski

Fiordland College Outdoor Education teacher and rock climbing instructor Vaughn Filmer and President of the FEAR Society Andrew Magness have championed the project.

Each spent hundreds of volunteer hours on fundraising and project management.

A large crowd has gathered at the official opening of the climbing wall on Saturday, 29 May.

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In his speech Mr Filmer thanked the sponsors and the Te Anau community for their strong support for the project donating machinery use, voluntary labour and free accommodation and food for the workers. Mike Schuck, Chairman of the Fiordland Community Events Centre Trust praised the work done by Mr Magness and Mr Filmer. 

“Andy and Vaughn have done an excellent job of fundraising and managing this project. It’s a great opportunity to bring more people and events to Te Anau and make more use of the Events Centre building. The climbing wall has added a valuable asset to the Events Centre at no cost to the community.” he said.

Kirsty Macnicol Pickett spoke on behalf of the Community Trust of Southland, one of two major sponsors for the project, along Meridian Energy.

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After the speeches there were some rock climbing demonstrations, followed by members of the public being invited to have a go.

The first two members of Te Anau community to use the climbing wall at the official opening were Ray Willett, aged 84 and Eden Hoskin, aged 5. 

Te Anau based outdoor adventure group, the FEAR Society has teamed up with the Fiordland Community Events Centre Trust to bring this project to life, contracting Uprising Industries – a Christchurch based climbing wall design and build company.

Members of the public having a go at climbing on the newly opened Te Anau Indoor Climbing Wall. Photo: Alina Suchanski

The climbing wall is made of plywood attached to earthquake-proof steel construction bolted onto the building’s concrete wall and concreted into its floor.

The building of the wall was completed on schedule on March 6th, however it took almost another two months for the ropes and holds to arrive and be installed, before the climbing wall could be opened to the public.

The delay was due to the world's shipping woes caused by Covid-19.

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The Fiordland Community Events Centre Trust owns the climbing wall and the FEAR Society is responsible for its management and for staff training.

Mr Filmer says that the wall will cater for up to 50 climbers/belayers at any given time and will attract visitors from all over New Zealand, and hopefully from overseas.